Gas-meter.



no. 645,365. Patented Man 13, I900.

I T. H. J. LECKBAND.

GAS METER.

(Application filed Dec. 7, 189B. Renewed. Aug. 28, 1899.)

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Patented Mar. I3, I900.

en's METER.

(Application filed Dec. 7, 1898. Renewed Aug. 28, 1899.)

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(No Model.)

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T. H. .1. LECKBAND.

' GAS METER.

(Application filed Dec. 7, 1898. Renewed Aug. 28, 1899.)

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UNITED STATES PATENT QEETCE.

PIIEODQR II. J. LECKBAND, OF ADAIR, IOIVA.

GAS-METER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 645,365, dated. March13, 1906.

Application filed December 7, 1898. Renewed August 28, 1899. Serial No.728,765; (No model.)

To ail whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, THEODOR H. J. LECK- BAND, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Adair, in the county of Adair and State of Iowa,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Gas-Meters; and Ido hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention,such as will enable others skilled in theart to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The object of my invention is to provide a measuring instrument or meterof reliable efficiency which will automatically and with absoluteaccuracy measure the gas as it is consumed.

The details of my invention will be fully set forth in the followingspecification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which-Figure 1 is a side elevation showing my improved gas-meter complete.Fig. 2 is a central vertical section of the parts thereof. Fig. 3 is adetail view showing one of the sealing devices in section. Fig. 4 showsa similar view to that presented in Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a perspectivedetail of the several seals, While Fig. 6 is a horizontal section ofFig. 4, as indicated by line so on Fig. 4.

Gas-meters as now constructed, so far as I am aware, have theirefficiency more or less affected or curtailed by reason of the fact thatsome of the working parts thereof come directly in contact with the gas,and as the gas is liable to deposit a gummy substance or coaltar saidparts are more or less clogged and disturbed in the performance of theiroffice. In my invention it will be seen that none of the working parts,as the pivotal points or bearings, can be affected by such deposit,inasmuch as they are entirely outside of the path of the gas, the samebeing grouped in compact form, and, if necessary, may be protected by asuitable hood or housing.

The several parts of my invention and the accessories required toclearly illustrate the use thereof will be designated by numerals, thesame numeral being applied to the same part throughout the'severalviews.

Referring to the drawings, 1 indicates the base or supporting-platform,which may be secured in position where it is desired to locate themeter, and upon said base I erect, preferably upon either side thereof,the supporting-standards 2, while on each end of the base thus providedI erect the gas holders or measu res,which may be made of any preferredsize, said measures consisting of the usual telescoping gas-holders,having the base or body-section proper,3,and the telescoping section 4.

Secured to the central portion of the inner side of each of the lids ortop sections are the depending sleeves 6, asis usual, it beingunderstood that suitable apertures 7 are to be provided in the upper endof said sleeve. Designed to telescope with the sleeve 6 are theservice-pipes 8 and 9, the former being disposed upon the left, whilethe latter is shown upon the right section of the drawings, it beingunderstood that each of said pipes is designed to loosely reciprocatewithin the sleeves 6, and, as usual in such construction, are for thepurpose of providing a seal formed by means of the liquid 10 in orderthat the gas may be held within the upper portion of the telescopingsection or bells 5.

It will be seen that the service-pipes 8 and 9 extend outward from eachof the tanks or gas-holders and unite at the point where the burner 11is attached, and each of said pipes is designed to alternately supplysaid burner, as will be hereinafter fully set forth.

Designed to automatically close and open the service-pipes 8 and 9 andto insure that the supply of gas will be alternately directed into oneand the other gas-holder I provide the sealing-cups 12, 13, 14, and 15,the two former being carried upon the pivoted bar or lever 16, while thetwo latter are carried by the pivoted bar or lever 17.

Disposed parallel with and beneath the upper ends of the pipes 8 and 9is the connecting-pipe or auxiliary section 18, extending from said pipe8 to pipe 9, and thus opening communication between them. Depending fromthe upper ends of the pipes 8 and 9, respectively, are the branches 19and 20, which are preferably tubular or a mere extension or open-endedbranch of said pipes, each branch being provided with acentrally-disposed partition-wall 21 of less extent or reach than thewalls of the branch in which they are mounted, it being clear that saidpartition will act as a seal when the end of the branch is inserted intheir respective sealingcups, it being understood that any suitablevariety of sealingliqnid 22-as mercury, &c. is carried in said cups insufficient quantity to reach up to the partition or diaphragm 21 whenthe cup is in an elevated position, as will be more particularlyreferred to.

By reference to Fig. 2 it will be seen that the pivoted bars or levers16 and 17 are pivotally mounted upon the transversely-disposed rods 23,both of said rods being carried by the standards 2, while near the upperend of said standards I locate the bar 24, upon which I pivot thecontrolling-lever 25, which is provided with the standard 26 and weight27, respectively, said standard being disposed at right angles to theplane of the controlling-lever 25. In each end of said lever I mount thescrews 28, the office of which will be clearly set forth. Upon the upperedge of each of the bells or telescoping sections 5 I provide the flange29, which may extend annularly in around the top of the bell or belimited in extent sufficiently to cover the inner edge only thereof, itsoffice being to engage the lever 25 or the set-screws carried thereby,and thus tilt the weight 27 toward the bell in contact with said lever.

Pivotally secured to one end of the lever 17 is the standard 30, whichis held in an upright position by means of the bracket 31, attached tothe pipe 8, while upon the opposite end of said lever is pivotallysecured a similar standard 32, held in a vertical position by thebracket 33, attached to a contiguous part of the pipe 9, both of saidbrackets loosely receiving their respective standards, and permittingthem to freely move longitudinally in order that either of them maycooperate with the controlling-lever 25, as will be made clearlyapparent in the statement of the operation of my invention. Each of thelevers 16 and 17 is provided at the pivotal point thereof with astandard and weight 34:, the same being disposed at right angles to saidlevers and designed to occupy a dead-center above the pivot-pointrof thelevers when the lever carrying it is in a horizontal position. Theoffice of the weights 34: is therefore to more positively hold theirrespective levers in a tilted position, and thereby insure against thecasual displacement of, the seals, inasmuch as considerable force willbe required to depress either of the standards 30 or 32.

In Fig. 2 I have shown a collar 35, secured at a certain point upon theservice-pipes 8 and 9, and also illustrate an internally-directed flange36 upon the ends of the sleeves 6, the purpose of said parts being tolimit the upward movement of the bells, though, as will be'seen in Fig.1, I am enabled to entirely dispense with said collars and flanges bythe use of the controlling rods or levers 37, pivotally connected attheir inner ends to the standards 2, as indicated at 38, the free endsof said rods being pivotally connected to the guiding-arms 39, each ofwhich extends upward into pivotal union with the up per end of the bells5, and in order to guard against the rotation of said bells I prefer toprovide the brackets or guides 40, through which the rods 39 aredesigned to freely pass, and it is therefore clear that if thisconstruction just described is adopted then the collars 35 and flanges36 may be dispensed with. In case said collars and flanges are omittedand the controlling-rod 37 andarms 39 are relied upon it will beunnecessary to extend the flange 29 entirely around the top of thebells, as a simple projecting arm or bracket upon the inner side of thebell will be all that will be necessary to insure proper cooperationwith the controlling-lever 25, whereby said lever may be forced downwardinto engagement with one of the standards 30 or 32. It is obvious thatthe set-screws 28 may be employed to render the adjustment of the levermore perfect with respect to the action of the flange 29." I

A suitable register or indicator 42 is provided and said indicator isactuated by means of a pawl or detent 43, carried by the link 41, itbeing clear that every other tankful only will be registered, thoughitis further obvious that suitable clutch mechanism might be providedwhich would insure that each tankful would be registered and that sincesaid tanks or bells may be made so as to hold five, ten, or twenty feetof gas, more or less, the measurement would be for the actual quantityconsumed.

The purpose subserved by the weights 27 and 34 is to give a morepositive action to the parts to which they are attached, it .beingreadily apparent that as said weights fall to one side or the other fromthe dead-center the action of the parts will be more prompt and positivein character By reference to Fig. 2 the operation of my improvedgas-measuring machine will, it is thought, be clearly apparent, though abrief statement of such operation may be considered pertinent at thistime. It may therefore be said that one of the bellsin Fig. 2 is shownto be in a depressed position, signifying that it is nearly empty,though the burner is still being fed therefrom through the pipe 8, asindicated by the travel of the arrows, the sealing-cup 12 being shown ina depressed position, thus leaving the gas free to flow through the pipe8 and under the partition 21, which is shown to be in clearance of thesealingliquid contained in said cup, and it follows that when the gashas been consumed suificiently to permit the bell from which said pipefeeds to be lowered sufficiently to cause the flange 29 thereon tostrike the end of the lever 25 or the set-screw carried thereby saidlever will be depressed and will strike the end of the standard 30,forcing the cup 14: downward and incidentally raising cups 15 and 12 andlowering cup through the apertures 7.

13, said action being induced by the connecting rod or link 41. The rod41, as Will be seen, is pivotally connected to the levers 16 and 17 uponopposite sides of their respective pivotpoints, thus insuring that saidlevers will be simultaneously though oppositely movedthat is to say,when the lever 30, for instance, is depressed, carrying with it the endof the lever 17 to which it is attached,- the corresponding end of thelever 16 will be elevated, while the opposite ends of said levers willbe correspondingly moved.- The opposite end of the lever 17 beingelevated will cause the corresponding end of the lever 16 to bedepressed. The position in which the rod 17 is disposed, as indicated inFig. 2, will insure that the sealing-cup 12 will be lowered, thuspermitting the free flow of the gas to the burner through the pipe 8,and while said parts are in said position the supply-pipe will feed intopipe 9, which will deliver the'gas through the sleeve 6 into theelevated bell It is further obvious that when the end of the lever isforced downward into contact with the standard 30 the sealing-cup 14will be lowered and the sealing-cup 12 simultaneously elevated, whichresults in cutting off further flow to the burnerthrough pipe 8 and alsocutting off a further flow from the supply-pipe 42 into pipe 9 throughthe sealing-cup 15, inasmuch as said cup will be elevated at the instantthe cup 12 is elevated, which results in conveying the gas from pipe 44directly through the seal 14, which is opened by the action abovereferred to, and thence into pipe 8 and into the empty bell 5, at thesame instant causing the flow of gas from the filled bell 5 upon therighthand side of the drawings to flow upward through pipe 9 and throughthe opened sealing-cup 13 and thence to the burner. By connecting thebells in the'manner set forth by means of the rod 37 the pressure in thepipes is insured in both bells, and the burner is therefore not whollydependent for a sufficient pressure alone upon the weight of the bellfeeding it.

While it is thought that excellent results will follow the use of theconstruction set forth in Figs. 1 and 2 and involved in the productionof the seals, yet I desire to call attention to another form ofconstruction of these parts, as illustrated in Figs. 4, 5, and 6,wherein it will be seen that in lieu of the several pipes 8 and 18 Iprovide the solid casting or body 45, which by reference to Fig. 6 willbe seen to be provided with the several bores 46, 47, 48, and 49, allproperly connected with each other, as by the laterals or branches 50,the bores 46 and 49 being provided near each end thereof with thesealingsleeves 51, 52, 53, and 54, each having a vertical partition 55of shorter length than its respective sleeve and corresponding to thepartitions 21 of the sleeves 19 and 20 and to the partitions 21 of thesleeves 19 and 20,

all of said parts being substantially identical with each other anddesigned to subserve the same purpose.

The bores 47 and 48 are provided,- respectively, with the extensions ornecks 56 and 57, each being designed to connect with a suitable pipeleading to the contiguous bell or gas-holder. It will be understood thatthe several bores and branches thereof 46,- 47, 48, 49, and 50 may beformed in the casting in anypreferred way, the object being to place allof said bores in communication with each other, except as regards thebores 47 and 48, at the point where they cross each other near themiddle portion of the casting, it be ing understood that said bores areso disposed within the casting that they will not tap or lead into eachother.

It is obvious that by providing the bodysection 45 with the severalbores referred to a more desirable grouping of the several parts iseffected, thereby making it possible to more readily assemble thecomplete operative device. The bores 46 and 49 are each provided, at apoint intermediate the seals carried by each of said bores, with anextension or neck, the extension 58 being designed to cooperate with thebore 46 and to which the pipe 59, leading to the burner, is attached,while the bore 49 is provided with the extension 60, in propercommunication with the supply-pipe 61, as shown in Fig. 4.

I prefer to form upon the lower side of the body-section 45, near eachedge thereof, the brackets 62, and pivotally mounted between the same isthe supporting-frame 63, and upon each corner of said pipe I provide thesealingcups 64, each being designed to loosely receive and cooperatewith its respective sleeve carried by the body-section 45, it beingunderstood that said body-section is to be held rigidly or permanentlyin a horizontal position in any preferred way, as by the pipes leadingto or from the several extensions 56, 57, 58, and 60.

By reference to Fig. 4 it will be seen that the several sealing-cups 64are designed to hold the desired quantity of sealing liquid, as mercuryor the like, and to be moved so as to bring said liquid into cooperationwith the several partitions 55 when the parts are in a sealed positionor to be dropped out of contact with said partitions when the seals areopen. The outer ends of the frame-section 63 are provided with an arm orbracket 65, to which Ipivotally secure the actuatingstandards 66, whichcorrespond in function to the standards 30 and 32, (illustrated in Figs.1 and 2,) the upper ends thereof being designed to contact with the armor extension 67, carried by the inner edge of the bell 68.

Upon the upper side of the body-section 45 Iprovide the ears or brackets69, in the upper end of which I mount in suitable bearings a journal oraxle 70, having secured thereto the levers or arms 71 and the standard72, carrying the weight 73, all of said parts corresponding,respectively, to the several parts 24, 25,

26, and 27 of Figs. land 2, adjusting-pins or set-screws .74 beingprovided in the ends of the lever 71.

In order that a minimum quantity of sealing liquid (indicated 7 may beemployed to insure a reliable seal for the telescoping bell or holder68, I provide the fixed portion or body-section 7 6 of the holder withan auxiliary internally-disposed chamber 77, which is permanentlysecured to the bottom of the outer casing or holder 76 in such a manneras to stand equally distant from the internal surface of said holder,and thus provide an annular chamber 78, in which the sealing liquid 75isdisposed, and it is clear that the open end of the telescoping bellwill freely 'rise and fall in the annular chamber thus formed and that amuch smaller quantity of sealing liquid will be found amply sufficientto provide a thoroughly-reliable seal than would be the case if theauxiliary chamber 77 were not provided, as shown by holder on I leftside.

It is clear that the auxiliary chamber 77.

frame-section 63, as by this construction both the upward and'down wardmovements of said frame-section will cause one of the ratchetteeth ofthe indicator to be engaged, thereby registering each of said movementsinstead of registering but one movement when the construction employedin Figs. 1 and 2 is adopted.

By the construction shown in Fig. 4 it will be observed that thetelescoping sleeves 6 are dispensed with, in which case the pipes 8 and9 maybe replaced, as by the pipes 82 and 83, the former being acontinuation of the pipe 84, leading from the extension 57, while thelatter is a continuation of the pipe 85, the upper end of which is incommunication with the extension 56. It is obvious that my inventionrelating to the control of the flow of gas may be used in connectionwith holders constructed in the form of bellows or collapsing sectionsin lieu of the telescoping holder and bell, as herein illustrated, andit is also apparent that various modifications may be employed in theconstruction of the several parts of my improved sealin g device andthat the manner of mounting the several parts may be varied withoutdeparting from the spirit of my invention, and I do not therefore Wishto be confined strictly to the exact showing made.

, The operation or manner of using the seal shown in Figs. 4, 5, and 6is substantially the same as the operation described for theconstruction shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and it is therefore deemedunnecessary to further elaborate thereon. a

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, anddesire to secure by Letters Patent, is.

1. The herein-described cutoff for changing the flow of gas or the likeconsisting of depending sleeves connected to the service: pipes andhaving partition-walls therein, in combination with pivotally-mountedsealingcups and means to move the same, as specified and for the purposeset forth. I

2. In an automatic cut-off for gas, the combination with a pair oftelescoping holders and suitable pipe connections therefor, said pipeconnections having depending sleeves provided with partition-wallstherein, of pivotally-mounted members carrying sealingcups adapted tocooperate with said sleeves and a pivotally-mounted weighted lever and alink connection between said lever and the rim of the holder whereby thedownward movement of the holder will actuate said lever and change theposition of the sealing cups, as specified and for the purpose setforth.

3. In agas-measuring'machine, the combi= nation with a pair oftelescoping holders pivotally secured together, as specified, of theherein-described automatic cut-off or switch for changing the flow ofthe gas in the supply-pipe from the full holder to the emptyholderwithout disturbing the supply for the burner, consisting ofdepending sleeves connected to the supply-pipes and havingapartition-wall therein; sealing-cups pivotally held in position incooperation with said sleeves and means located intermediate the holderand said cups whereby the downward movement of the holder will divertthe flow of the gas from the full holder to the empty holder, asspecified and for the purpose set vers, each carrying a seal upon itsfree end,

all of which are in cooperation with a sealingsleeve extending from theservice-pipes; a link pivotally secured to said levers in such a mannerthat the movement thereof will be opposite to each other whereby theflow of gas to the burner from the feeding-bell will be cut off at theinstant said bell is emptied, and the flow of the gas from the fullreservoir directedto said burner, and also that the flow of the gas fromthe supply-pipe will be turned into theempty bell, all arranged asspecified and for the purpose set forth.

5. The herein described measuring -machine for gas or the likeconsisting of a pair of telescoping holders, each provided with asuitable service-pipe and sleeve, said servicepipes being connected toeach other and with theburner, as specified; depending sleeves inconnection with the service-pipe; a pair of pivoted levers each carryinga sealing-cup designed to cooperate with said sleeves and suitable meansintermediate said levers designed to utilize the downward movement ofeach bell, all arranged as specified and for the purpose set forth.

6. In a gas-measuring machine, the hereindescribed switching device forchanging the flow .of gas consisting of depending sleeves formed uponthe supply-pipes and a sealingcup adapted to codperate with said sleevesand means to simultaneously move said cups in such position as willinsure that the flow of gas to the burner from the empty bell will becut off and the flow of gas from the full bell simultaneouslyestablished with said burner, as and for the purpose set forth.

7. The herein-described device for checking and restoring the flow ofgas consisting of a sleeve depending from the service-pipe, said sleevebeing provided with a diaphragm or partition-Wall of shorter reach thansaid sleeve, and a sealing-cup designed to receive the lower end of saidsleeve and contact with said partition when in an elevated position orpermit the flow of the gas to pass under the partition when said seal isin a lowered position, as specified and for the purpose set forth.

8. In a measuring-machine for gas, the combination with suitabletelescoping reservoirs, of supply-pipes communicating therewith andextending upward between the same; an auxiliary pipe establishingcommunication between them at a point below the upper end thereof,depending open-ended sleeves having partition-walls, carried by said endand auxiliary pipes, and sealing-cups adapted to receive the open endsof said sleeves and suitable means for utilizing the downward move-.

ment of the empty reservoir to so change the position of said cups thatthe flow of gas from the emptying reservoir to the burner will be cutoff and the flow of the gas from the filled reservoir will beestablished with said burner, and the flow of gas from the supply-pipedirected into the empty reservoir, all operatively combined in themanner and for the purpose specified.

9. In a gas-measuring machine, the hereindescribed balanced sealingcups; suitable sleeves carried by the supply-pipes in communicationwithsaid cups; counterpoises carried by the supports of said cupswhereby the upward or downward movement of the cups will be renderedpositive and a controllinglever having a centrally-disposed counterpoiseand adjusting-screws at each end, the

latter designed to contact with the projecting rim of the emptyreservoir and means connecting the end of said controlling-lever withsaid cups whereby the seals will be opened and closed in such a way asto cutoff the flow -of gas from the empty reservoir with the burner andat the same instant direct the flow from the f nll reservoir to theburner and from the supply-pipe to the empty reservoir as specified andfor the purpose set forth.

10. The herein-described sealing device for gas-machines, consisting ofa body-section provided with communicating bores or openings and withsupply and discharge apertures 5 sealing-sleeves having a partition-wallof less extent cooperating with said bores and movable sealing-cupsdesigned to cooperate with said sleeves; a movable bell or holder havingan extension or arm, and means lo cated intermediate said arm forcooperating with said movable cups whereby said parts will beautomatically controlled to regulate the flow of gas, as specified andfor the purpose set forth.

11. The herein-described sealing device for gas consisting of thebody-section 45 having a series of communicating bores substantially asspecified, a series of depending sleeves in communication with saidbores, each sleeve being provided with a partition of less extent thanitself, in combination with a pivoted frame or platform located belowsaid body and means carried by said frame to automatically close theopen ends of said sleeves whereby the flow of the gas will be controlledin the manner specified and for the purpose set forth.

12. As an improvement in gas-meters, a sealing device consisting of thebody-section having a series of communicating bores and feeding and exitapertures in communication therewith, all formed in one piece, aframesection pivotally mounted in posit-ion below said body-section aseries of sealing-cups carried by said frame-section and a series ofdepending open-ended sleeves having partitionwalls secured to saidbody-section and in communication with the boresthereof whereby saidsleeves will be effectually closed when said cups are depressed, alloperatively combined in the manner specified and for the purpose setforth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

THEODOR H. J. LECKBAND.

Witnesses:

WM. LECKBAND, T. A. MORSE.

IIO

